Penzance Chamber of Commerce

Citizen of the Year

Congratulations go to Chamber member Jan Garrison this month, who has been awarded the Alan Harvey Citizen of the Year Award for her devoted work in the community. It is sad that such devotion is not displayed by other sectors of the community however. Predictably, there was virtually no response to our plea in support of Christmas lights last month so that, as they say, is that.

Government calls time on Drinking Hours

Following an encouraging response to a White Paper of reforms to licensing laws, the Government announced a pre-election sweetener earlier this month. According to the Labour Party, respondents confirmed that the proposals for 24-hour drinking represented a sound basis for legislation and agreed the correct balance had been struck between the needs of business, consumers and local residents.

Key elements of the new system would include a single integrated scheme for licensing premises, including conditions of hours, noise limits and capacity; a system of personal licenses, issued for 10 years, allowing holders to sell or serve alcohol; flexible opening hours with the potential for up to 24 hour opening, 7 days a week; and increased access for children to licensed premises to promote more family-friendly pubs. The system would also entail that permission to supply alcohol would be granted by local authorities instead of magistrates, and that appeals from the local authority's decision would be made to the magistrate's court, taking into account the authority's published policy.

Announcing the Government's intention, Home Office Minister Mike O'Brien said: "Our licensing laws are outdated, complex and in need of a radical overhaul. Reform of the alcohol and entertainment licensing system will provide savings and new opportunities for business, give consumers greater choice, while providing greater safeguards for local residents."

"Eventually we would hope to encourage the more sensible drinking culture seen in some other European countries. The current ritual of late night drinkers pouring onto the streets at closing time, with its subsequent crime and disorder problems, has been an unwelcome tradition for far too long in our towns and cities," said Mr O'Brien.

The proposal does not suggest that all pubs will be permanently open however. While the majority are likely to take advantage of the opportunity to serve drinks for one or two more hours at night, few will seek to stay open any longer. A survey of more than 1,000 members of the British Institute of Inn keeping found that 88 per cent considered their ideal weekday closing as 11pm or midnight.

Setting out the Government's plans Mr O'Brien said the reforms would boost tourism and help tackle the "binge drinking" culture. A number of local publicans have made specific mention of binge drinking. The awareness of 11pm closing creates a mentality in which drinkers try to get as much down their necks as possible in the time permitted. Meanwhile, a Penzance lady who spends much time working in Europe has stated that because bars abroad are open all night, people tend to go out later and drink less. "These reforms should give the tourism industry a real boost. They will give businesses more flexibility in catering for the tourist market and will give visitors to this country the same sort of service they get at home," suggests Mr O'Brien.

Industry group Business in Sport and Leisure has welcomed the announcement. Chairman of BSL Jack Brackenbury said: "We see enormous merit in the proposals. The relaxation in opening hours will be a huge boost to tourists who cannot understand our antiquated laws."

Twin Speaks

The Penzance-Concarneau Twinning Association has moved its June date, chez Peggy and Brian, from the 21st to the 14th. This is due to the Concarneau delegation arriving here for the Golowan festival on 22 June. The latter weekend will have a full programme of events. Subject to confirmation there will be a dinner at Mount Prospect Hotel on the evening of the 22nd followed by the Golowan firework display, a lunch at the Alexandra Inn on the 23rd, and lunch at the Bath Inn on the 24th.

Police Liaisons

Devon and Cornwall Police Authority are keen to obtain the views of the public on the police service they receive, and are holding a series of liaison meetings. The meeting for the Penwith area will be held at the Passmore Edwards Institute, Commercial Road, Hayle, on Monday 4 June at 7.30pm. All are encouraged to attend. Further information is available from Mr G Davey, Clerk to the Police Authority, PO Box 229, Exeter, Devon, EX2 5YT. Telephone 01392-438781.

Model Citizens

The Chamber is to publish its own calendar next year and is looking for 2 male and 2 female members to strut their stuff in front of the camera. Volunteers will receive business publicity in return for their participation. A talented photographer willing to donate their efforts at a competitive rate is also being sought for the project. Applications are particularly welcome from students of photography at local colleges. Please telephone Yvonne Neale on 01736-719222 if you can assist.

Spotlight on Business - Evergreen Digital Media

Evergreen is a digital media company that has been based in Penwith since 1997. Often working in partnership with other designers, developers and marketing firms, Evergreen's new media design and development projects have won international appreciation for their success and value. Recent projects include several multilingual websites and PC screensavers for Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklifts Europe, CD-interactives for Truro College and the Kneehigh Theatre, and innovative web software development and application - such as Cornwall's Objective One website, www.objectiveone.com, and the www.chain.org.uk museum's website.

The company is an Internet service provider trading as Tellnet Internet. With web servers connected to the Internet backbone at Telehouse in London, Tellnet provides domain name registration, website hosting, server co-location and Internet access to businesses large and small across the UK, Europe and the US. In addition to hosting for the likes of Mitsubishi, Tellnet provide service to hundreds of small and medium sized companies, and are host to local names including the Kneehigh Theatre, Objective One, CHAIN and the Digital Peninsula Network.

Evergreen will soon be introducing cutting edge Internet infrastructure to Penzance town centre, providing "last mile" broadband Internet connectivity and e-commerce solutions for the first time in Penwith. The project will set the standard for Internet standards in the county.

Evergreen's Managing Director Pete Murphy says: "Penwith is an exciting place to be in the new millennium, thanks to the District Councils forward thinking ICT policy adopted under the leadership of Jim McKenna. We are pleased to be investing in Penzance, confident that Penwith will continue to lead Cornwall and the West Country as a whole in exploiting the possibilities offered by new technologies to the benefit of all local residents and business."

The project will transform a 200-year old traditional Cornish farmhouse from old industry building to new! Now engulfed in the centre of Penzance, the premises fronting Old Brewery Yard, is set to become Cornwall's first "Digital Building": A small but perfectly formed internet co-location facilities centre. Pete explains: "The new facility will offer a competitive edge to Penwith businesses wishing to engage in e-commerce and will provide opportunities for developing services to the benefit of the wider community. Our Internet facilities centre will deliver a comprehensive range of services backed up by the highest quality infrastructure, providing Internet connectivity and e-commerce solutions in Penzance that simply do not exist anywhere else in Cornwall, or for that matter, this side of London!"

Evergreen, The Malakoff, St Ives, Cornwall, TR26 2BH Tel: 0870-600-1501 Fax: 0870-600-1502 Email: mail@evergreen-uk.com

Keeping a keen eye on the Neighbourhood

Jan Garrison, Chairperson of the Penwith Neighbourhood Watch Trust and long-time member of the Chamber of Commerce, has been awarded the Alan Harvey Citizen of the Year Award for her sterling efforts in the community. Vice Chairman of Penwith District Council, Roy Mann, presented the award at a recent ceremony. Mrs Garrison serves as the Police Force Association for Penwith, and was responsible for setting up the Neighbourhood Watch Trust. She is involved with the freely distributed Pen-Watch magazine, and is behind numerous projects designed to keep people secure in their homes.

Neighbourhood Watch Week

The month of June will see a number of events in aid of Neighbourhood Watch Week. The event is being held to keep the area crime free, and the Trust would appreciate support.

Join the Chamber

The Penzance Chamber of Commerce offers valuable networking opportunities, and represents the views of local businesses and individuals to all levels of government. We invite membership applications from individuals and businesses large or small. For further information, visit the Membership Enquiry or Membership Application pages on this site or our membership site at www.penzancechamber.co.uk.

Contributions to Focus pages

These pages exist to promote the work of our members, and we invite participation from all involved with the Chamber. We are also happy to publish material from anyone else with an interest in the development of Penzance. Please send your articles no later than the first Thursday of the month to feature in the forthcoming issue, or contact the Press Officer, Penzance Chamber of Commerce, 16 Fore Street, Goldsithney, Cornwall TR20 9HD to arrange an interview or Email Press Officer.

Forthcoming Meetings

The next monthly Chamber Meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 5th 2001 at the Queens Hotel, The Promenade, Penzance at 7.30pm.

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PENZANCE - THE PLACE TO BE

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